Card index



Oct. 29, 1929. LE ROI E. HUTCHINGS 1,733,304

CARD INDEX Filed March 8, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l CARD INDEX Filed March 8, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheer. 2

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Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LE ROI E. EUTCHIN'GS, OI TONAWA NDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, '10 BEMINGTON,RAND INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.', A CORPORATION 01 DELA- WARE CARD INDEX Application filed March 8, 1926. Serial No. 98,106.

This invention relates generally to indexes but more particularly to the visible index type consisting of overlapping cards.

Its principal object is the provision of an 5 index of this character in which the cards or inserts are so constructed that they are removably interlocked one with another in overlapping relation at predetermined distances apart.

Another object of theinvcntion is to pro- .vide an overlappin card index wherein the cards are detachab y anchored at one edge against. both lateral and longitudinal displacement relativc to one another and to the supporting member orguide, while the opposite edges are'free to enable the cards to have a hinging or book-leaf action to permit the use of both sides of the cards for entries or memoranda.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive overlapping card index which affords a maximum capacity within a minimum amount ofspace and which is so organized and arranged that the cards can be conveniently inserted and removed.

A still further object of the invention is to producean overlapping card index adaptable for use in index panels,-loose leaf binders, etc, which provides for visibility along two adjoining marginal portions of the cards.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary face view of an index panel and its card-supports with the invention embodied therein. Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing -the manner of interlocking the cards with each other and with the supporting rail or pocket. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the manner of inserting a card in position. Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical section on line 4.-4, Fig. 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal section online 5'5, Fig. 1. Figure '6 is a detached perspective view of one of the index cards. Figure 7 is a front view showing the index cards applied to a supporting member or rail for usein a loose leaf binder or the like. Figure 8 is a horizontal section thereof on line 88, Fig. 7. Figures 9 and 10 are face views showing the or tongues 20, 21 and in its bottom use of a master'or title cam in connection with the invention.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-6, inclusive, the same is shown in connection with a frame or indexpanel 10 having inwardly-turned side-flanges 11 forming parallel channels or guides for the transverse strips 12 to which the cardsupporting members or sheets 13 are hinged or otherwise connected. Each card-supporting member has a card-engagin ho der preferably in the form'o a doubled strip 14 of celluloid or other transparent matcrial embracing its lower or free edge and secured thereto by wire staples 15. An upwardly-opening pocket 16 is thus formed between the front wall of said transparent strip and the opposing face of the supporting member for receiving the index-cards 17 in a substantially upright position. Along the upper edge of its front wall, the strip 14 has an inwardly and downwardly bent lip or flange 18' forming a continuous channel or groove 19 for a' purpose hereinafter described.

Each of the card-supporting members 13 is adapted to contain a plurality of the indexcards 17 disposed in overlapping relation crosswise thereof with their lower edges or alining marginal portions at one side thereof, engaged or seated in the corresponding pocket 16. These cards are so constructed that they are adapted to interlock one with another at predetermined distances apart to hold them against relative lateral displacement and to interlock with the channel 19 of the pocketstrip 14 to prevent their vertical displacement or dislodgement from the pocket. For this purpose, the lower marginal portion of each card is provided at its op osite side edges 'or corners with oppositel acing lugs edge with a notch or recess 22. These tongues are preferably contained within the dimensional area of the card-body and to this end are formed by cut-out spaces 23, 24 provided in its opposite sides adjacent the lower edge thereof, as shown 'in Fig. 6.. The tongue 20 extends sheath or laterally and outwardly from the card-body or parallel with its lower edge and is adapted- 25 formed at the intersection of the adjoining edges of the tongue and the corresponding space 23 abutting against the opposing edge or shoulder 26 of said notch. The. other tongue 21 extends laterally and upwardly from the card-body and its upper portion 27 is adapted to engage the channel 19 of the pocket 16 to prevent the upward displacement or accidental escape of the card from said pocket when it is once inserted in place.

The tongue 20 of the topmost card of a series carried by a given supporting member 13 is adapted to enter the space formed between the bottom of the pocket 16 and the adjacent wire staple 15 in the manner shown in Fig. 1, whereby displacement of this card beyond the edge of the supporting member is prevented. By providing the cards with the interlocking tongues and notches 20, 22, they are reliably held against relative lateral displacement, the overlying card of a pair being locked against shifting relatively to the other in one direction and the underlying card being locked againstshifting in the opposite direction. The cooperating shoulders 25, 26 of the tongues 20 and notches 22, respectively, determine the extent of uniform overlapping of the various cards, so that the upright margins thereof as well as the adjoining "lower portions of the same contained within the pockets are clearly visible.

The manner of inserting the cards in their pocket is shown in Fig. 3. Each card is held in a more or less diagonal position with the lug 21 facing downwardly to permit its introduction in the pocket. The card is then turned or shifted around to an upright position, bringing the remaining lower marginal portion of the card into the pocket and the upper portion 27 of said lug 21 into engagement with the pocket-channel 19. This act of inserting the card into place in its pocket is facilitated by rounding the lower corner of the lug 21, as shown at 28. Succeeding cards are placed in the pocket in the same manner and then shifted laterally or to the leftof the supporting member .13'to bring their corresponding tongues 20 into locking engagement with the companion notches 22 of adjoining cards. If desired, the free ends of the card-tongues 20, 21 may be forwardly deflected or bent up slightly to facilitate their ready and convenientlintroduction into the notches 22 and channels 19,-respectively. The

to a more or less removal of any card from the index is effected by shifting the cards beneath it to the right a suflicient distance to enable the tongue 20 of such card to clear the shoulder 26 of its companion notch, after which it is swung diagonal position to disengage its tongue 21 from the pocket channel and then withdrawn.

By mounting and interlocking the cards in,

overlapping relation in this manner, they are permitted a hinge or leaf-like action from the anchoring pocket 16, which permits both sides of the cards to be used randa and also allows index data to be ap to-the exposed side marginal portion 0 cards.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the invention is also adaptable for use in connection with loose leaf binders and the like. In this case,

lied the a supporting member consisting of an anchor strip or rail 29 of metal or transparent material is provided which is adapted for attachment in an upright position in the binder, with the overlapping cards 17 projecting outwardl or laterally therefrom. The anchor strip 1s doubled lengthwise upon itself and secured at its ends by sta les 30 to form a pocket 31 for receiving the mterlocking inner end portions of the cards, one of the walls of the pocket terminating in an inwardlybcnt flange 32 forming a channel 33 with which the card-tongue 21 is ada ted to interlock, as in the previously descriE tion.

If desired, master or title cards 34 and 34 may be used in connection with this improved index, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 respectively. This title card is arranged to interlock with the pockets of the anchor strips 1 1 or 29 and has tongues 35, 36 similar to those of the index cards, the tongue 35 occupying the space provided at the end of the rail ed construc- I for entries and memobetween the bottom of its pocket and the corresponding staple 15 or 30. In Fig. 9, the

title card 3 1 is shown projecting a suitable distance above the anchor-strip for receiving the index matter, while in Fig. 10, the card 3 1? .is shown having a tab or portion 37 which projects beyond the top edge of the anchor-strip and binder where its index matter is exposed to view.

This improved index, is not only simple and inexpensive, but it is very compact and has a relatively largecapacity. By interlocking the cards in the manner shown and described, they are reliably held against displacement and are automatically gaged in uniform overlapping relation; and they can be readily inserted and removed when desired without disturbing the indexing arrangement.

I claim as my invention:

1. An index of the character described,

comprising a plurality of supporting mem- Ill said supporting members to hold the cards in overlapping relation.

2. An index of the character described, comprising a supporting member including a transparent pocket having a retaining lip, and a series of cards having the alining marglnal portions at one edge of the cards en-' gagmg said pocket, said cards having parts formed in their alined marginal portions arranged to interlock with each other and with v the retaining lip of said pocket to hold the cards in overlapping relation and prevent their displacement relative to one another and their escapement from the pocket, re-

spectively.

3. An index of the character described, comprising a supporting card including a transparent sheath along one edge thereof, and a series of cards having the alining marginal portions at one edge of the cards engaging said supporting sheath,- said cards having cooperating parts for gaging the same in a predetermined overlapped relation and each card having a part of its alined marginal portion arranged to interlock with said sheath to prevent the displacement of the card therefrom.

4. An index of the character described, comprising a card-supporting transparent pocket having a retaining lip along the open edge thereof, and a series of cards having the alining marginal portions at one ed e of the cards engaging said pocket,'said car s having parts of such marginal portions arranged to slidably interlock with one another for gaging them in overlapping relation and for preventing their relative displacement lengthwise of the pocket, said cards also having means arranged to interlc ck with said lip to prevent displacement of the cards transversely oftsaid pocket.

5. An index of the character described. comprising a card-supporting pocket having a retaining element along its open end, and a series of overlapping cards havin the alining marginal portions at one e ge of the cards engaging said pocket, each of said cards being provided in such marginal portion with a tongue facing in a direction'lengthwise of the pocket, a tongue facing in a direction transversely of the pocket and a recess intermediate said tongues, the first-named tongue of one card interlockin with the recess of an adjoinin card and the second-named tongue inter ocking with the retaining element of said pocket.

, 6. An index of the character described, comprising a card-supporting pocket having an inwardly-bent flange along its open en forming a. channel, and a series of overlapping cards having the alim marginal portions at one of the ca engagin said pocket, each 0 said cards being prov! ed at opposite ends of its ortion contained in the pocket with opposite y-directed tongues and intermediate saidtongues with a recess, one of the tongues of a card interlocking with the recess of an adjoining card to ga e its predetermined overlapping position re ative thereto and to prevent relative displacement of such adjoining vcards lengthwise of the pocket, the other tongue having a portion facing in a direction transversely of said pocket and engaging the pocket-channel to prevent the escape of the card from the pocket.

7. An index of the character described, comprising a card-supporting member including a transparent pocket and a retaining lip alon the open edge of the pocket, and a series 0% cards removably seated in said pocket, each of said cards havin a tongue formed by a removed section of tie bod of the card arranged to interlock with sai retaining lip to prevent displacement of the card from the pocket.

8. An index card having tongues located at two adjacent corners thereof, one of the tongues extending in a direction substantial- 1y parallel with that edge of the card connecting said tongues and the other tongue having a part extending in a direction toward the opposite edge of the card.

-9. An index card having tongues located at two adjacent corners thereof and a recess in that edge of the card between said corners, said tongues being within the dimensional area of the card and formed by cutting out portions of the card above the tongues, one tongue extending in a direction parallel with that edge of the card connecting said tongues, and the other tongue extendin 'in a direction toward the op osite edge 0 the card.

LE IQOI E. HUTCHINGS. 

